UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA · COLLEGE OF NURSING
NU 578 Advanced
Pharmacology
Unit 3 Practice Question
Bank
Exam-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: CHF, HTN, Dysrhythmias, Angina, Asthma
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Unit 3 2
University of South Alabama · College of Nursing Page 1
,NU 578 UNIT 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. These questions are designed to reflect the NU 578 Advanced Pharmacology
exam style and content.
Category: Advanced Pharmacology — Unit 3
1 Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that produces its therapeutic effect in CHF by:
A Increasing myocardial contractile force and cardiac output via positive inotropic
effect through inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump
B Decreasing myocardial contractile force to reduce oxygen demand
C Blocking beta-1 receptors to reduce heart rate
D Inhibiting ACE to reduce blood volume
Why A is correct: Digoxin increases myocardial contractile force and cardiac output
through a positive inotropic effect by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump, which
increases calcium into the cell. It also decreases heart rate and AV nodal conduction. It is
used for HF and dysrhythmias.
B — Digoxin increases, not decreases, contractile force.
C — Digoxin does not block beta-1 receptors.
D — Digoxin does not inhibit ACE.
, 2 Symptoms of digoxin toxicity include which of the following?
A Altered heart rate or rhythm, visual disturbances (blurred vision, yellow tinge), and
GI disturbances (nausea, anorexia, vomiting, fatigue)
B Hypertension and tachycardia
C Bronchospasm and wheezing
D Hyperkalemia and muscle weakness
Why A is correct: Digoxin toxicity symptoms include altered heart rate or rhythm, visual
disturbances (blurred vision, yellow tinge), and GI disturbances (nausea, anorexia, vomiting,
fatigue). Toxicity is made much worse by hypokalemia or anything that decreases digoxin
clearance. Treatment includes discontinuing digoxin, correcting potassium, and
administering digibind.
B — Hypertension and tachycardia are not symptoms of digoxin toxicity.
C — Bronchospasm is not a symptom of digoxin toxicity.
D — Hyperkalemia is not a symptom; hypokalemia worsens toxicity.
3 The therapeutic range for digoxin is:
A 0.5-0.8 ng/mL
B 1.0-2.0 ng/mL
C 2.0-3.0 ng/mL
D 0.1-0.3 ng/mL
Why A is correct: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-0.8 ng/mL. The half-life is 1.5
days, requiring 6 days to reach plateau and 6 days to eliminate.
B — 1.0-2.0 ng/mL is above the therapeutic range and may be toxic.
C — 2.0-3.0 ng/mL is clearly toxic.
D — 0.1-0.3 ng/mL is subtherapeutic.
NU 578 Advanced
Pharmacology
Unit 3 Practice Question
Bank
Exam-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: CHF, HTN, Dysrhythmias, Angina, Asthma
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Unit 3 2
University of South Alabama · College of Nursing Page 1
,NU 578 UNIT 3 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. These questions are designed to reflect the NU 578 Advanced Pharmacology
exam style and content.
Category: Advanced Pharmacology — Unit 3
1 Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that produces its therapeutic effect in CHF by:
A Increasing myocardial contractile force and cardiac output via positive inotropic
effect through inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump
B Decreasing myocardial contractile force to reduce oxygen demand
C Blocking beta-1 receptors to reduce heart rate
D Inhibiting ACE to reduce blood volume
Why A is correct: Digoxin increases myocardial contractile force and cardiac output
through a positive inotropic effect by inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump, which
increases calcium into the cell. It also decreases heart rate and AV nodal conduction. It is
used for HF and dysrhythmias.
B — Digoxin increases, not decreases, contractile force.
C — Digoxin does not block beta-1 receptors.
D — Digoxin does not inhibit ACE.
, 2 Symptoms of digoxin toxicity include which of the following?
A Altered heart rate or rhythm, visual disturbances (blurred vision, yellow tinge), and
GI disturbances (nausea, anorexia, vomiting, fatigue)
B Hypertension and tachycardia
C Bronchospasm and wheezing
D Hyperkalemia and muscle weakness
Why A is correct: Digoxin toxicity symptoms include altered heart rate or rhythm, visual
disturbances (blurred vision, yellow tinge), and GI disturbances (nausea, anorexia, vomiting,
fatigue). Toxicity is made much worse by hypokalemia or anything that decreases digoxin
clearance. Treatment includes discontinuing digoxin, correcting potassium, and
administering digibind.
B — Hypertension and tachycardia are not symptoms of digoxin toxicity.
C — Bronchospasm is not a symptom of digoxin toxicity.
D — Hyperkalemia is not a symptom; hypokalemia worsens toxicity.
3 The therapeutic range for digoxin is:
A 0.5-0.8 ng/mL
B 1.0-2.0 ng/mL
C 2.0-3.0 ng/mL
D 0.1-0.3 ng/mL
Why A is correct: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-0.8 ng/mL. The half-life is 1.5
days, requiring 6 days to reach plateau and 6 days to eliminate.
B — 1.0-2.0 ng/mL is above the therapeutic range and may be toxic.
C — 2.0-3.0 ng/mL is clearly toxic.
D — 0.1-0.3 ng/mL is subtherapeutic.
